Mold & your Health

By: http://www.doh.wa.gov

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Can I be exposed to mold?

When molds are disturbed, they release spores into the air. You can be exposed by breathing air containing these mold spores. You can also be exposed through touching moldy items, eating moldy food or accidental hand to mouth contact. 

Do molds affect my health?

Most molds do not harm healthy people. But people who have allergies or asthma may be more sensitive to molds. Sensitive people may experience skin rash, running nose, eye irritation, cough, nasal congestion, aggravation of asthma or difficulty breathing. People with an immune suppression or underlying lung disease, may be at increased risk for infections from molds.

A small number of molds produce toxins called mycotoxins. When people are exposed to high levels of mold mycotoxins they may suffer toxic effects, including fatigue, nausea, headaches, and irritation to the lungs and eyes. If you or your family members have health problems that you suspect are caused by exposure to mold, you should consult with your physician.

Helpful Information about Mold

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By: http://www.health.ny.gov

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What are molds?

Molds are microscopic organisms that live on plant or animal matter. They aid in the break down of dead material and recycle nutrients in the environment. Present virtually everywhere, they can be found growing on organic material such as soil, foods, and plant matter. In order to reproduce, molds produce spores, which spread through air, water, or by insects. These spores act like seeds and can form new mold growth if the conditions are right.

Why do molds grow?

Mold will grow and multiply under the right conditions, needing only sufficient moisture (e.g., in the form of very high humidity, condensation, or water from a leaking pipe, etc.), and organic material (e.g., ceiling tile, drywall, paper, or natural fiber carpet padding). New York State Department of Health

Can mold become a problem in my home?

Mold growth may occur in your home if there is sufficient moisture because mold spores are everywhere. Be on the lookout for these common sources of moisture:

• Flooding
• Roof leaks
• Plumbing leaks, drainage problems
• Damp basements and crawl spaces
• Steam from the bathroom or kitchen
• Condensation resulting from poor or improper insulation or ventilation
• Humidifiers
• Wet clothes drying inside the home or a clothes dryer venting indoors
• Poor or improper ventilation of combustion Appliances

Indications of a moisture problem may include discoloration of the ceiling or walls, warping of the floor, or condensation on the walls or windows. The key to preventing mold growth is to control all moisture problems.

Should I be concerned about mold in my home?

Mold can be a concern in the home and should not be allowed to grow. Extensive mold contamination may cause health problems as well as damage to the home.

Can mold make my family sick?

Exposure to mold can cause health effects in some people. The most common effects are allergic responses from breathing mold spores. These allergic responses include hay fever or asthma and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat or lungs. We usually cannot say how much mold is too much as our reactions to allergens can vary greatly depending on individual sensitivity. Allergic responses can come from exposure to dead as well as to living mold spores. Therefore, killing mold with bleach and or other disinfectants may not prevent allergic responses.

Less common effects of mold exposure include infections and toxic effects. Serious infections from living molds are relatively rare and occur mainly in people with severely suppressed immune systems. Many types of molds may produce toxins but only under certain growth conditions. Toxic effects have been reported from eating moldy grain, but evidence is weak that breathing mold spores in buildings causes toxic effects.

What are common symptoms of mold exposure?

Allergy and irritation are the most common symptoms of mold exposure. Although symptoms will vary, the most common symptoms seen in people exposed to mold indoors include:

• Nasal and sinus congestion
• Eye irritation, such as itchy, red, watery eyes
• Respiratory problems, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing
• Cough
• Throat irritation
• Skin irritation, such as a rash
• Headache

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What is Mold and what makes it grow in my home?

By: http://www.doh.wa.gov

Shared By: Elite Water Damage, Inc.

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Mold

What are molds? Molds are tiny microscopic organisms that digest organic matter and reproduce by releasing spores. Molds are a type of fungi and there are over 100,000 species. In nature, mold helps decompose or break-down leaves, wood and other plant debris. Molds become a problem when they go where they are not wanted and digest materials such as our homes.

What makes molds grow in my home?

Mold enters your home as tiny spores. The spores need moisture to begin growing, digesting and destroying. Molds can grow on almost any surface, such as wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, sheet rock, and insulation. The mold grows best when there is lots of moisture from a leaky roof, high humidity, or flood. There is no way to get rid of all molds and mold spores from your home. But you can control mold growth by keeping your home dry.

When is mold a problem?

You know you have mold when you smell the "musty" odor or see small black or white specks along your damp bathroom or basement walls. Some mold is hidden growing behind wall coverings or ceiling tiles. Even dry, dead mold can cause health problems, so always take precautions when you suspect mold.

Mold is often found in areas where water has damaged building materials and furniture from flooding or plumbing leaks. Mold can also be found growing along walls where warm moist air condenses on cooler wall surfaces, such as inside cold exterior walls, behind dressers, headboards, and in closets where articles are stored against walls. Mold often grows in rooms with both high water usage and humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. If you notice mold or know of water damaged areas in your home, it is time to take action to control its growth.

mold odor increased kids

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Tips from the EPA.gov

Dry Out Your Home

Excess moisture in the home is an indoor air quality concern for three reasons: • Microorganisms brought into the home during flooding may present a health hazard. These organisms can penetrate deep into soaked, porous materials and later be released into air or water. Coming in contact with air or water that contains these organisms can make you sick. • High humidity and moist materials provide ideal environments for the excessive growth of microorganisms that are always present in the home. This may result in additional health concerns such as allergic reactions. • Long-term increases in humidity in the home can also foster the growth of dust mites. Dust mites are a major cause of allergic reactions and asthma.

Mold and Children's Health

Reactive airways disease in children is increasing in many countries around the world. The clinical diagnosis of asthma or reactive airways disease includes a variable airflow and an increased sensitivity in the airways. This condition can develop after an augmented reaction to a specific agent (allergen) and may cause a life-threatening situation within a very short period of exposure. It can also develop after a long-term exposure to irritating agents that cause an inflammation in the airways in the absence of an allergen. (paragraph) Several environmental agents have been shown to be associated with the increased incidence of childhood asthma. 

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Flood Cleanup: Avoiding Indoor Air Quality Problems

by EPA.gov
Introduction
During a flood and water damage cleanup, the indoor air quality in your home
or office may appear to be the least of your problems.
However, failure to remove contaminated materials and to
reduce moisture and humidity can present serious longterm
health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a
breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses,
bacteria, and mold. They can cause disease, trigger
allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long
after the flood.
This fact sheet discusses problems caused by microbial
growth, as well as other potential effects of flooding, on
long-term indoor air quality and the steps you can take to
lessen these effects. Although the information contained
here emphasizes residential flood cleanup, it is also
applicable to other types of buildings.
Prepare for Cleanup
Read Repairing Your Flooded Home
www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_570_,00.htm
l prepared by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency and the American Red Cross. The booklet
discusses flood safety issues and can save your life. The
booklet also contains detailed information on proper
methods for cleaning up your home. You should also
consult the wealth of information on the FEMA, CDC, and
The American Lung Association sites.